Natural fibres are textile fibres obtained directly from plants or animals rather than produced by chemical processes. Plant fibres include cotton, flax for linen, hemp, jute, sisal, coir and rush, while animal fibres include wool, silk, mohair, cashmere, camel hair and horsehair.
Until the introduction of rayon in the late nineteenth century and nylon and polyester in the twentieth, every textile in a historic interior was made from natural fibres. They formed the tapestries, damasks, chintzes, carpets and household linen of country houses, as well as the stuffing, webbing and seat covers of traditional upholstery, where horsehair, coir and wool were layered over jute webbing. Recognising the fibre is an important part of dating and assessing antique textiles and upholstery, and conservators can confirm it under magnification. Natural fibres age in characteristic ways: silk splits and shatters, wool attracts moth, and cotton and linen can weaken and stain, so careful storage away from light and damp is essential. In contemporary interiors, linen, wool and sisal are valued for their texture and breathability and sit comfortably alongside antique furniture.
